Chairman Papuashvili Criticizes Opposition and Warns Against Foreign Interference in Elections
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
On September 24, Shalva Papuashvili, Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, claimed that the opposition is running an incoherent campaign and is heading for a "historic defeat," leading them to resort to "confrontation, negativity, and hate speech." He argued that the opposition is increasingly relying on "propaganda from outside the country," which he claimed is setting their agenda. Papuashvili presented a report prepared by the ruling Georgian Dream party on "Foreign Interference in the Electoral Process."
Papuashvili highlighted the frequent involvement of foreign entities in Georgia's electoral discourse. "Not a day passes without some statement, interview, live TV cast, article, or a visit from abroad, which is directly related to parliamentary elections and the opposition agenda," he said. He claimed that these messages are amplified by "opposition-owned" TV stations, which he argued creates an "uneven electoral playing field."
He emphasized that this level of foreign involvement could represent a conscious attempt to manipulate election results, calling it "foreign interference" that could impact the citizens' choices. He warned that such interference contradicts democratic values and violates the principle of state sovereignty, which is a core tenet of the UN Charter and other international declarations.
"Choosing the government is the privilege of the people, not the right and duty of foreign citizens, even if they are partners," Papuashvili stressed. He underlined that foreign interference hampers the creation of a free and equal electoral environment, where Georgian voters can make choices based on their own beliefs, without outside influence.
The Chairman urged Western partners to respect these principles, especially in light of the global challenges to the rules-based international order. He called on foreign actors to refrain from interfering in Georgia's election campaign, allowing citizens to vote for the political force of their choice without external pressure.
Papuashvili concluded by emphasizing that "foreign propaganda" cannot be seen as conducive to a fair electoral environment. "In a democratic society, every citizen has the right to make a choice in an environment free from undue influence, because the future of the country rests solely with our citizens," he said.
